Welcome to the 2017 – 2018 school year! I hope our Suffield students and families are rejuvenated from a relaxing and enjoyable summer. As your superintendent I am particularly eager for the start of the school year as we continue our journey in providing a successful school experience for each and every student.
Teacher quality is the number one reason why students succeed. I am proud of the tremendous teacher growth we have witnessed in the past two years and teachers’ willingness to learn more, do more, and innovate more. We continue to focus on improving student outcomes by building our teachers’ capacity to meet the unique needs of each and every child. This year we have the added supports of a new calendar with increased professional collaborative time, revised school improvement plans, and a student services improvement plan. We are blessed in Suffield with dedicated teachers, enthusiastic students, and supportive families.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Roxanne Pangallo as the new A. Ward Spaulding Elementary School principal. Dr. Pangallo is a former elementary classroom teacher, elementary curriculum specialist, and most recently an elementary principal in New Hartford, Connecticut. Recently we posted Ramsey Binnington’s assistant principal position, as she will be leaving us September 6 for a position much closer to home. Additionally, we are welcoming 11 new faculty members to the Suffield Public Schools, and they are an impressive group who are passionate about education and eager to be a member of our Suffield school community. You will also notice familiar faces of teachers and secretaries greeting you from a new grade level or school.
This is an exciting time in education. While our world is rapidly changing, we too need to change and continuously improve teaching methods and practices. Together teachers and administrators are doing just that. I encourage you to participate in this exciting work at your child’s school, or on district level committees by calling our schools, or central office.
We are preparing our students for a different world than what we adults have known. I am confident in our families, our district leadership, our talented faculty and staff and our Board of Education’s commitment to provide Suffield students with the best opportunity for success in the future.
Wishing all a positive and bright beginning to the 2017–2018 school year.
Retiring Staff
Ned Sullivan: SHS guidance counselor and department chair – 37 years of service
Robin Mentzer: SHS Math teacher – 13 years of service
Donna Milliken: SHS guidance secretary – 30 years of service
Mary McKenna: SHS paraprofessional – 14 years of service
Charmane Spinelli: SHS paraprofessional – 17 years of service
Gail Myers: SMS secretary – 17 years of service
Mary Halzack: McAlister Grade 3 teacher – 28 years of service
Gail Bass: McAlister paraprofessional – 22 years of service
Jean Barnes: McAlister paraprofessional – 15 years of service
Judy Case: McAlister paraprofessional – 41 years of service
Marcia Monsiegneur: McAlister paraprofessional – 19 years of service
Shirley Zavisza: McAlister paraprofessional – 21 years of service
Karen Boscarino: Spaulding Preschool teacher – 25 years of service
Mary Ruggiero: Spaulding paraprofessional – 34 years of service
Dotty Surmolian: Spaulding paraprofessional – 16 years of service
Kim Moriarty: Assistant Superintendent’s Secretary –24 years of service
Bill Johnson: Courier – 42 years of service
Ed Griffin: Custodian – 14 years of service
New Certified Staff
Spaulding Elementary:
Lauren Gilson – PreK Teacher – earned B.A. from Salve Regina University, RI – has been our long-term substitute in PreK
Morgan Smith – Special Education Teacher – earned B.S. & M.S. from UCONN – 1st year teacher
Kristen Berenson – Grade 1 Teacher (long-term assignment) – earned B.S. from Keene State, NH; M.S. from St. Joseph’s College; & 6th year degree from CCSU – has served as our long-term and permanent building substitute
Dr. Roxanne Pangallo – Principal – earned B.A. from State University of New York, Potsdam; M.S. & Ed.D. from CCSU – previously principal of two elementary schools in New Hartford, CT
McAlister Elementary:
Kelley Shea – Special Education Teacher – earned B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College, PA; earned M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University – previously special services coordinator at Achievement First Hartford Elementary Academy
Lauren Stiles – Grade 3 Teacher – earned B.A. from Boston College; M.A. from St. Joseph’s College; and currently pursuing Ed.D. at Northeastern University –previously an elementary teacher at Ann Arbor Public Schools in MI.
Suffield Middle School:
Chelsea Kahle – ELA Teacher – earned B.A. & M.A. from James Madison University, VA – 1st year teacher
Suffield High School:
Patrick Brintle – Coordinator of School Counseling 6-12 – earned B.S. from UCONN; M.S. & 6th year degree from University of Hartford; and 092 Certification from Quinnipiac University –previously school counselor at Academy of Aerospace & Engineering.
Melissa McKee – Math Specialist – earned B.S. from University of Hartford; M.S. & 6th year degree from CCSU –previously K-12 math supervisor at Tolland Public Schools.
Amy Berman – World Language Teacher – earned B.A from CCSU; M.A. from UCONN – previously World Language teacher at West Hartford Public Schools
Erin Severns – English Teacher – earned B.A. from Keene State, NH – 1st year teacher
Chris Barcelos – Social Studies – earned B.A. & M.A. from UCONN – previously social studies teacher at Simsbury Public Schools.